If you were involved in a car accident, even if it was minor, failure to see a Chiropractic specialist could result in chronic conditions that take months or years to heal, costing you thousands of dollars in medical treatment.

Many people who are injured in a minor accident do not even think to see a chiropractor. However, chiropractic care after a car accidentis the best solution for most people because it does not involve drugs or surgery.

Surgery and drugs are usually the go-to treatments for car accident injury victims, but a much better alternative is a chiropractic doctor who specializes in treating accident injuries.

Below is a list of The Benefits of Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident:

1. Injuries are not Always Obvious​Obviously broken bones, lacerations, or bruising will be easy injuries to spot after a car crash. However, there are other injuries such as Whiplashthat are not always apparent immediately following a motor vehicle accident.

It could take hours or a few days to feel the symptoms of whiplash, such as dizziness, headaches, soreness, or pain in the upper back and neck.

The best way to deal with a whiplash injury is to catch it early on. This means, if you were involved in a car accident, do not wait to seek treatment until you feel pain.

Ignoring a potential injury can lead to long-term pain, which is why it is essential to see a chiropractor immediately following your accident so they can properly diagnose your injuries and start you on a treatment plan before the pain become unbearable.

2. Reduces Inflammation

When you are involved in a car accident, micro-tears in the ligaments and muscles are a common injury, and unfortunately, an X-ray is not going to catch them.

These tears in the muscles are the main reason people wake up after a car crash in severe pain wondering what is wrong because their X-rays looked normal.

A Chiropractic Doctor will use spinal manipulations to realign the spinal cord helping your body to release an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce inflammation and pain symptoms in the body.

3. Non-Invasive Treatment

Waiting too long after a car accident to seek treatment may leave you with surgery as the only option for recovery. However, when you find immediate medical attention, chiropractic care is an excellent alternative to surgery.

Most people do not want surgery, and it should be your very last resort, after you have tried everything else, like chiropractic care.

The non-invasive chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and joints significantly reducing pain and promoting healing without the need for surgery.

4. Reduces Scar Tissue

Scar tissue can develop on the muscles inside the body after a car accident injury occurs. This tissue will cause the victim to feel uncomfortable and stiff.

A chiropractic doctor can specifically target the damaged areas, breaking up the scar tissue faster than just letting it heal on its own.

This will ensure that the injured person feels better and heals properly at a much faster rate then if they avoid treatment altogether.

5. Pain Relief

Without the Use of Drugs For many people involved in a car accident they will just take pain relief drugs because they think that will make them better, and it probably does for a short period. However, drugs only mask the symptoms of injury they don't actually heal the damage itself.

Pain relief drug medication can also be extremely addictive, and a lot of people think they will just take it until they feel better only to realize they do not want to stop and when they do, withdrawal symptoms can occur.

Chiropractic care offers pain relief without the use of drugs or addictive medications. Chiropractic therapy also addresses the injury at the source of the problem, healing the actual injury and not just masking the pain.

6. Reduces Pain Throughout the Entire Body

Chiropractic adjustments after a car accident are known to reduce pain in the entire body because of a pain-reducing hormone that is released during the spinal manipulations.

These hormones help the injured area that was affected after the accident to feel less painful as well as helping to improve other areas of the body that may have been feeling pain before the crash.

7. Avoid Long-Term Pain

Minor car accident injuries can become serious long-term problems if the conditions are left untreated.

For example, symptoms of whiplash can continue for years if you fail to seek proper medical care and can become a chronic condition that leads to emotional anguish as well as physical.

Seeing a chiropractor immediately after your accident will help to avoid long-term, chronic pain conditions from developing. Your doctor will be able to diagnose and treat your injury before it has the chance to manifest into a much larger problem.

8. Restores Range of Motion

If you suffer a neck or back injury in a car wreck, the inflammation that occurs can cause even more problems. Your blood and nutrients will not be able to make to the areas they need to go because the inflammation will be slowing the healing process.

When you receive a chiropractic adjustment, it will mobilize your spine, restoring range of motion and allowing the body to begin the natural healing process at a much faster rate.

The end of the year is less than three months away! Whether or not you’re anticipating changes to your insurance plan in 2018, here are a few reasons to take full advantage of your current plan:

1. Your alternative care benefits likely expire at the end of the year.If you’ve been experiencing musculoskeletal pain and have been putting off getting evaluated and treated, call us to make an appointment before it’s too late! Both chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy fall under alternative care, so make sure you’re taking full advantage of your insurance plan.2. If you have met your deductibleIf you have met your insurance deductible for the year, now is a great time to get your last appointments in and get treated at a minimal cost to your wallet. Most insurance plans run on the calendar year, meaning your deductible will reset on January 1st.Unsure if you’ve met your deductible? Give us a call at (270) 886-3136 and we’ll be happy to call your insurance company for you to find out.3. Your Health Savings Account might expire at the end of the yearSome HSA accounts expire at the end of every year. If you still have credit on your account and you have symptoms that need treatment, make sure to come in and take advantage of your HSA before it’s too late!​Questions? Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help navigate your chiropractic and benefits (270) 886-3136

Its back to school time and many parents are asking themselves: How is my kid going to carry all of those school books? I also have an image in my mind of the child having to lean forward to try and counterbalance the weight of the heavy back pack. Are you sending your child off to the first day of school with a brand new backpack tossed over his or her shoulder? Although backpacks have become as common as pencils & paper in schools across the nation, you may want to think twice before your child leaves for school each morning. While carrying a backpack may seem harmless, it can cause some health problems, including back and neck problems that may or may not be painful. Such problems may have drastic long-term implications if the results of these poor habits are left uncorrected.

Check The Numbers

New research reveals an alarming danger associated with improper childhood backpack use. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, of the 6,512 children treated in hospital emergency rooms last year for injuries related to shouldering backpacks, 54% involved children ages 5 to 14. Carrying a backpack can cause not only acute injury, but also long term damage. For example, carrying 12 pounds in a backpack and lifting it 10 times per day equals 120 pounds lifted per day. That is equivalent to 21,600 pounds lifted in a school year (nearly 11 tons) or the equivalent of six full size automobiles!

However, you don't need to be a scientist to understand the effects of backpacks on children. Visit any school and watch youths as they struggle to walk while bent sideways under the weight of an overloaded backpack that is carried on one shoulder. You will quickly realize the potential danger of this common school necessity.

How exactly would carrying a backpack affect a child’s spine? Carrying a heavy load that is distributed unevenly or improperly, day after day, week after week, can indeed cause stress to the spinal column of a growing child. “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree” is a phrase that often comes to mind when seeing children lugging backpacks around.

A Cure for the Back Pack Blues

Back pain is pervasive in our society. Much of this is brought on by bad habits that were started during our younger years – such as carrying overweight backpacks to school. Slinging a heavy backpack over one shoulder every day may provoke serious postural misalignments and joint irritation. Chiropractors have long recognized the spinal health hazards of heavy backpack use and are experts in correcting misalignments. As specialists in spinal biomechanics, chiropractors also work to educate parents and the community about the proper use of backpacks.

Important Steps in Preventing Backpack Related Injuries

In an effort to reduce backpack related injuries, follow the preventative measures below to ensure the health and safety of your child.

* The maximum weight for your﻿ child's loaded backpack should not exceed 10-15% of his or her body weight.﻿ For example, an 80-pound child should not carry more than 12 pounds in a pack. If the backpack is heavier, it will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back rather than on the shoulders. This rounding of the shoulders will result in back, shoulder and neck pain.

* Insist that your child wear both shoulder straps. Luggin g a backpack with one shoulder strap causes the child to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight. This can cause permanent misalignment of the spine, neck and back pain, muscle fatigue and lowered state of health. The bottom of the backpack should rest in the curve of the lower back and the top touch just below the big knob on the back of your neck.

* Padded straps are very important. Look for backpacks with wide padded shoulder straps to avoid pressure on the nerves around the armpits. Padded waist straps that keep the backpack close to the body will help maintain proper balance.

* Teach your child to pack his or her backpack by evenly distributing the contents. Keep the heaviest items closest to your back and avoid loading unnecessary items. The more spread out a load is, the less strain it puts on any one part of the body.

* Often ignored is the act of lifting the backpack. Bend at the knees, use both hands, check the weight of the pack and lift with your legs, not your back. Carefully put one shoulder strap on at a time. Never sling the pack onto one shoulder.

* For older students, encourage them to make frequent trips to their locker between classes to replace books. If the backpack is still too heavy to take home, talk to your child’s teacher. It might be possible to obtain two sets of books or bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.

* Talk to your child about the importance of using a backpack properly. A child who is educated early in life on the importance of ergonomics can apply this knowledge in the home and office as they grow older, and will be happier and healthier as a result.

Chiropractic care can help

It is important to remember that like many health problems, spinal disorders often go unnoticed and therefore ignored. Because of this, it is especially important to call your Chiropractor if your child experiences any pain or discomfort in the shoulders, neck, legs or back. This way, any potential spinal or postural problems can be addressed and corrected before they get worse. Spinal correction is specific and gentle with a child. If you're a parent, don't ignore this potential threat to your child's health. Schedule a chiropractic evaluation for your youngster today.

At least 70 percent of America’s 30 million elementary school students use computers, according to a recent New York Times article. As a result of this increased usage, doctors of chiropractic are treating more young patients suffering from the effects of working at computer stations that are either designed for adults or poorly designed for children. Many children are already suffering from repetitive motion injuries (RMI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic pain in the hands, back, neck and shoulders.Children Need to Practice Good Computer Ergonomics, Too!

A recently published study conducted by a team of researchers from Cornell University found that 40 percent of the elementary school children they studied used computer workstations that put them at postural risk. The remaining 60 percent scored in a range indicating “some concern.”

“Emphasis needs to be placed on teaching children how to properly use computer workstations,” stated Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health. “Poor work habits and computer workstations that don’t fit a child’s body during the developing years can have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime. Parents need to be just as concerned about their children’s interaction with their computer workstations as they are with any activities that may affect their children’s long-term health,” added Dr. Bautch.

What can you do?

To reduce the possibility of your child suffering painful injuries, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its Council on Occupational Health offer the following tips:

If children and adults in your home share the same computer workstation, make certain that the workstation can be modified for each child’s use.

Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below the child’s eye level. This can be accomplished by taking the computer off its base or stand, or having the child sit on firm pillows or phone books to reach the desired height.

Make sure the chair at the workstation fits the child correctly. An ergonomic back cushion, pillow or a rolled-up towel can be placed in the small of the child’s back for added back support. There should be two inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of the knees. The chair should have arm supports so that elbows are resting within a 70- to 135-degree angle to the computer keyboard.

Wrists should be held in a neutral position while typing – not angled up or down. The mousing surface should be close to the keyboard so your child doesn’t have to reach or hold the arm away from the body.

The child’s knees should be positioned at an approximate 90- to 120-degree angle. To accomplish this angle, feet can be placed on a foot rest, box, stool or similar object.

Reduce eyestrain by making sure there is adequate lighting and that there is no glare on the monitor screen. Use an antiglare screen if necessary.

Limit your child’s time at the computer and make sure he or she takes periodic stretch breaks during computing time. Stretches can include: clenching hands into fists and moving them in 10 circles inward and 10 circles outward; placing hands in a praying position and squeezing them together for 10 seconds and then pointing them downward and squeezing them together for 10 seconds; spreading fingers apart and then closing them one by one; standing and wrapping arms around the body and turning all the way to the left and then all the way to the right.

Your child’s muscles need adequate hydration to work properly and avoid injury. Encourage your child to drink four 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Carbonated beverages, juices and other sweet drinks are not a substitute.

Urge your child’s school or PTA officials to provide education on correct computer ergonomics and to install ergonomically correct workstations.

“If your child continues to complain of pain and strain from sitting at a computer, see a doctor of chiropractic,” urges Dr. Bautch. “A chiropractor can help alleviate your child’s pain and help prevent further injury.”If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at landrumdc@gmail.com or visit my website http://www.landrumdc.com.

No wonder most of the population stands and sits in a slumped over posistion! If you are not sitting in a good posture during the day, its just to carry over into the rest of your life. Unless you're lucky enough to be on your feet all day for work, you probably sit way too much. We all do it. We begin the day by sitting at work. When we go home, we sit on the couch. When we have dinner, we sit on a chair. When we watch a movie, we sit in the theater. When we go out, we sit on a stool. Our life is full with sitting interrupted by little moments of walking to our next chair.

What people dont realize are that so many common aches and pains can commonly be linked to poor posture: headaches, dull lower back pain, tightness in the shoulders. So it's important to, well, be good at it. This video shows you the correct posture for sitting. Produced by Flikli (flikli.com)If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at landrumdc@gmail.com or visit my website http://www.landrumdc.com.

As with most homeowners, the spring and summer weather signifies that it is time for yard work. This may include weeding, planting flowers, or getting the garden started. In our office, spring and summer weather also signifies something. It is the onset of influx of people who have worked too long and hard in their yard, resulting in a sore back. In order to prevent this from happening, please be conscious of the following tips while gardening or doing yard tasks.

First of all, give your muscles a chance to warm up before working in the yard or garden. Practice stretching with the various movements you will be working in the yard, or take a short ten to fifteen-minute walk around the block. When using a hedge trimmer, keep your back straight and use short strokes to avoid upper arm and neck strain. Don’t use wide sweeping side to side motions, as this will irritate the joints in your low back. Pause after three to five minutes. It may take longer, but your back will thank you in the long run.

Keep overhead work to five-minute episodes. This is especially true if you are holding a hedge trimmer or some other tool above your head. Avoid extreme reaching with one arm.

One the most notorious gardening activities that often results in back pain is shoveling. This activity requires repetitive bending and twisting of the back, while lifting a shovel full of material. This formula is a recipe for disaster. The lower back is generally a strong and stable part of the body. However, when used improperly, problems will arise. When shoveling, both feet should be planted firmly and the pelvis should be facing wherever the shovel is digging. When a person digs at an angle or at the side of their body, this puts the back in a vulnerable twisted position. This is especially true when a person is digging in front of themselves and then twists to throw the dirt to a different spot. Doing this for a long period of time is really a bad idea! If a person has to move dirt from one spot to another, he or she should dig in front of them and then reposition his or her feet and pelvis to face the spot where the dirt is to be deposited. This prevents the back from twisting at all and keeps it in a safe position. Imagine sitting up straight in a flat back chair. When this curve reverses or becomes convex, the back is in a vulnerable position.

When using a wheelbarrow, the same rules apply. The back should remain straight when lifting and pushing a wheelbarrow and be sure not to twist the back. Do not fill the wheelbarrow completely full, as it will be “top-heavy”. If the wheelbarrow is in the process of tipping and a person tries hard to prevent it, this is a prime scenario for a back injury to occur.

Keep these tips in mind when doing your spring and summer yard tasks. As well, see your chiropractor prior to attempting the yard tasks so that your back is functioning at its full potential. As much as I love helping people with their low back injuries, I feel that preventing an injury from happening in the first place is much better than trying to treat it after the fact.

World's fastest man, Usain Bolt, says that he is fit and ready for London's 2012 Olympics and is convinced his defense of the 100m title could trigger one of the fastest ever races in the blue riband sprint. Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and (along with his teammates) the 4×100 metres relay and the reigning Olympic champion in these three events. He is one of only seven athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event.

South Florida's Dr. Michael Douglas has been the official Chiropractor of the Jamaican Olympic Team since 1996. He blends sports injury rehabilitation and traditional chiropractic care techniques and has performed these techniques on thousands of patients as well as on some of the world’s greatest Olympians such as Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell, Shelly-Ann Fraser and more.

Many, unfortunately, turn to chiropractic care only AFTER they have been injured. But, in addition to improving performance, speed and agility, ongoing chiropractic care and therapy can offer several health and wellness benefits vital to everyone:

Improved Posture

Increased Range of Motion

Increased Flexibility

Reduced Risk of Injury

Reduced Migraines and Severe Headaches

Improved Recovery After Sports Injuries

Increased Blood Circulation and Oxygen Flow in Body

Pain Reduction in Major Joints

Better Focus and Concentration

Reduced Stress

Improved Immune System (for warding off common illnesses and diseases)

Whether you are suffering from a car accident, occupational injury, sports-related trauma or everyday pain, chiropractors everywhere are ready to help you even at the 2012 Olympics.

Chiropractic therapy offers several benefits for athletes who are constantly pushing their bodies to the max. In fact, other top athletes such as Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong each have regular chiropractic care regimented into their routines.